Vessel-protector.



W. M. BLISS.

VESSEL PROTECTOR.

- APPLICATION FILED JANLZZ, 19171 1,245,556; Patented Nov. 6, 1917'.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

A TTOR/VEY W. M. BLISS.

VESSEL PROTECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 22. 1917.

Patented Nov; 6, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR Ana/Mr WILLARD EM.,ZBLISS, 0F BROOK-LYN. NEW YORK.

' V VESSEL-PROTECTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedNov. 6, 191 7.

Application filed January 22, 1917. Seria1 1 1'o. 143,615.

the ships sides at a 'suflicient distance therefrom to obviate any danger from the explosion of a mine or torpedo that might come in "contact with the said slats. In addition the bars are spaced apart so that a moving torpedo that happened to run its nose between the slats would remain lodged there without exploding.

The protector is also secured to the vessel in such a way that it can be raised or lowered, thereby making it possible to elevate it out of the water and carry it in a. compact fashion when the ship is not in a danger zone. The weight of the construction is great enough to cause it to fall quickly into position in the water when protection is needed.

Further advantages are referred to in the following specification and illustrated in the drawings herewith of a preferred embodiment of my device.

Figure 1. is a diagrammatic plan view of a part of a ship showing my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2. is a side view of one of the supporting members.

Fig. 3. is a front elevation showinga fragmentary portion of my device lowered into position on the side of the vessel.

Fig. 4. is a similar view showing the supporting member raised and the slats or bars omitted.

Fig. 5. is a detail sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

In the said drawings, the reference numeral 10 designates the deck of the ship and 11 is the side thereof.

Secured to the said sides 11 by bolts or other suitable means are a number of hearing blocks 12 which may be made either in two parts or with the groove or opening 13 therein. I provide cars 14 in the upper part "of said blocks in which the stud or shaft 15 is mounted. 1

Rot'atably mounted 'upon the said shaft 15 is the member 16 provided with a sleeve 17, in which the frame or supporting member 18 rotates.

hen the frame is lowejr'ed as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, the sleeve 17 is approkimat'ely nearer'to the vessel is held inthe groove 13 by means of the locking member-"19, which is-pivoted to the side of the boat at '20. The too 21 of the locking member 19, fits in the groove 22 in the lower part of the bearing block 12.

At the upper outer corner of the frame 18 is an eye 23, through which runs the chain 21 which carries the series of bars or slats 25 and these latter are secured to the supporting frame 18 by the rings 26.

To raise or lower my device, a cable 27 running through pulley blocks 28, one of which is secured to the frame 18 is employed and these cables may all run to one Windlass 29 or a number of windlasses as may seem most practical.

So that the levers 19 may all be locked or released simultaneously the cable 30 may be fastened to the upper ends of the said levers and then connected up with the Windlass 31. In Fig. 1 only part of the cables and releasing mechanism is shown.

When a vessel equipped with my device is at anchor or moving but slowly through the water in a danger zone the construction would be in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3; but when there is no danger, and the speed of the vessel should not be impeded the protecting device is easily raised to the position shown in Fig. 4, where it is entirely clear of the water and will not interfere with steerage way or the speed of the travel.

To raise the device from the water, it is first necessary to release the locking bar 19 by means of the cable 30. The cables 27 are then brought into play and the frame is raised swinging on the shaft 15 as a pivot. When the frame clears the slot 13 it tends, due to the pull and positions of the pulley blocks 28, to swing inwardly toward the side of the vessel, where it can be securely fastened.

I at rightangles' to the side "of the vessel and the shorter side of the frame, or that side It is obvious, that in lowering the device, through gravity it will. quickly move to its position, when released.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a plurality of frames adapted to be pivotally secured to the side of a vessel and adapted to be raised and lowered with relation to the side of said vessel: a barrier member secured to said frames and comprising a plurality of strips; means for elevating said frames and said barrier member; means for lowering said frames and said barrier member; and means for locking said frames in their lowermost position. T

2. In a device of the character described the combination with a vessel, of means adapted to afford protection against torpedoes and the like comprising a plurality of frames pivotally secured to the vessel and adapted to swing first upward and then inwardly to the sides of the vessel; a plurality of strip members secured to said frames and adapted to form a barrier against torpedoes and the like; means for elevating the said frames and said barrier members; means for lowering said frames and said barrier members; and means for locking the said frames in their lowermost position.

3. In a device of the character described the combination with a vessel, of means adapted to afford protection against torpe does and the like comprising a plurality of frames pivotally secured to the vessel and adapted to be raised and lowered alongside the said vessel; a barrier member secured to said frames and comprising a plurality of strip members adapted when lowered to prevent contact between the sides of the vessel and torpedoes and the like and adapted when the said frames are raised to be folded compactly along the top of the sides of the vessel; means for elevating and lowering the said frames and barrier members; and means for locking the said frames in their lovvermost position. 4

V WVILLARD M. BLISS. Witnesses: WALTER M.v JAoKsoN, I M. R. WI-IYTE.

Copies 01' this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0." 

